Cody Canada and the Departed vs. Eli Young Band – Texas Red Dirt Rumble

Make it two in a row for Cody Canada and the Departed. ‘Skyline Radio,’ their No. 1 hit on the Texas radio chart, knocked off Cody Johnson’s ‘Diamond in My Pocket’ by the slimmest of margins, which means the group will move on to face a new challenger during this week’s Taste of Country Texas Red Dirt Rumble.

Eli Young Band are coming off a national No. 1 hit with ‘Crazy Girl.’ Their follow-up ‘Even if it Breaks Your Heart’ is cutting a pretty good pace as well, but does the quartet still have the regional support needed to overcome the former Cross Canadian Ragweed singer’s song? The new single is the story of how the band grew up, and eventually out of, the Lonestar state. It’s an inspirational tale of overcoming all obstacles to reach one’s dream.

‘Skyline Radio’ is more Americana than mainstream country. The over five-minute-long jam grabs with a nostalgic guitar solo introduction, and then with Canada’s storytelling lyrics. He paints quite a picture with this song from the band’s ‘This Is Indian Land’ album.

Listen to both songs and vote for the one you like better. The winner will move on to face a new challenger next week, with a four-time winner getting retired to the Rumble Hall of Fame.

Listen to Cody Canada and the Departed’s ‘Skyline Radio’

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Listen to Eli Young Band’s ‘Even if it Breaks Your Heart’

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Rules of the Rumble: The artist and song with the most votes wins, and winner goes on to face next week’s challenger. If an artist wins four weeks in a row, he or she will be retired into the Taste of Country Texas Red Dirt Rumble Hall of Fame to allow for new songs to compete.